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Joe Jones
On Saturday, it was announced that former Notts County chairman Derek Pavis had passed away aged 87.
Pavis, who has the west stand at Meadow Lane named in his honour, guided the Magpies through their most successful period in their recent history thanks to his shrewd appointment of Neil Warnock and investment in the squad.
He also oversaw the redevelopment of the stadium before stepping aside after 13 years at the helm at the age of 70.
Here are just some of the tributes left on the PON site to one of the finest chairmen in the club's history.
 
 
 



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Joe Jones
Notts County have launched a sponsorship package which allows firms to sponsor the team shirt on a month-by-month basis.
The club's association with Ladbrokes has now ended, and Magpies owner Alan Hardy is eager for the companies sponsoring the top to have a presence in Nottingham.
According to the Nottingham Post, law firm Eversheds and accountancy firm Baldwins have already signed up, while Hardy's Paragon will sponsor the shirts for the cup matches.
"It would have been easy for us to tout ourselves with a big national firm, but our ethos as a football club has always been about the community," Hardy said.
"We want them to have a presence in the city so people can relate to them and as a club we feel it's vitally important for us to engage with the local business sector.
"The response we have had so far has been fantastic because I think businesses realise the mass brand exposure they can generate from being associated with us.
"There are obvious other benefits too because those that do take up the opportunity will also enjoy unrivalled access to the football club."
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Joe Jones
With Notts County having such a rich history, there are dozens of illustrious former players for every generation over the last 150 years, with some individuals having excelled for the club so far back that nobody currently alive will have seen them play.
This is the case of James "Jimmy" Logan, who was born in a time when Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and Queen Victoria were still alive.
Born on 24 June 1870 in the Scottish town of Troon, Logan began his career at Ayr United, just down the coast from his hometown.
National scouts soon spotted his potential and, in March 1891, he played in the Scotland side that beat Wales 4-3 in Wrexham, scoring on his debut.
However, the Scottish game was amateur at the time, while south of the border, clubs were turning professional, so many footballers were drawn to England.
On the day of the win over Wales, Logan was spotted by Sunderland scouts, and soon enough he signed for the Wearside club, though he only made two appearances as they won the 1891-92 Football League.
In October 1892 he returned to Ayr briefly before signing for Aston Villa for a transfer fee of £30.
He played ten times for them in the 1892-93 season, scoring on seven occasions, and followed that up with one goal in four games before Notts County signed him.
The Magpies were a Second Division club at this point, but Logan did not let this deter him, scoring 21 goals in 21 games and guiding the club to their first FA Cup Final.
To get there, Notts eliminated three clubs from the First Division, including Nottingham Forest, who they beat 4-1 in a replay, and so they lined up to face Bolton at Goodison Park.
In front of 37,000 people, Notts were done and dusted by the 70th minute as Arthur Watson opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Logan struck in the 29th, 67th and 70th minutes of the match - a feat managed by just one player before.
Another record broken was that Notts became the first team from outside the top flight to win the FA Cup and, appropriately enough, they received a hero's welcome when they returned to Nottingham.
“One would have to seek far back into the annals of demonstrations of a public nature to find a parallel to the proceedings on Saturday night,” enthused the Nottingham Evening Post.
The loudest cheers were for the man of the match. “Logan was the hero of the day,” wrote the Sheffield Independent, “and played in a brilliant fashion”. Another writer was moved to state: “He was like a clipper in full sail all through.”
Logan then moved on to play for Dundee and later Newcastle United in short but successful stints, scoring eight goals in the nine games, before transferring to Loughborough.
It was here that his career, and sadly his life, ended, in very unfortunate circumstances.
On Friday, April 3, the Luffs travelled to Sandbach to play Crewe Alexandra, and won 2-1.
The next day, they travelled by train to Manchester to take on Newton Heath, the club which later became Manchester United - but had forgotten the kits in Sandbach.
“Loughborough turned out in borrowed plumes,” reported The Monitor and News. “The search for clothing delayed the start for half an hour.”
In driving rain, 4,000 witnessed Loughborough lose 2-0 and the team, wearing the same drenched clothes as they wore in the game, returned to the Midlands.
Logan – who had a history of ill health – caught a chill and missed the next three games.
He recovered to return to action and scored in the final game of the season, a 4-1 win over Crewe, and looked to be recovering over the next month, but sadly it wasn't to be.
“No serious consequences were anticipated ’til Saturday,” reported the Monitor, “when the internal complaint of which he suffered led to complications and in the end brought on pneumonia.”
From then on, Logan went rapidly downhill. By Monday, James Logan was dead. He was 25.

As a mark of respect, the next day the Midland League championship flag was lowered to half mast at the club’s Athletic Ground.
At 3.30pm on May 29, Logan's body was lowered into the grave at plot 34 of compartment 114 at Loughborough Cemetery. A nameless hole in the ground. A pauper's grave.
This is seemingly where the story ends, but fast forward 120 years, Andy Black and Jimmy Willan launched a campaign to give Logan the recognition he deserved.
Until August 2016, the only reminder of him had been a sign on a dirt road leading to the town's Derby Road playing fields, bearing the name James Logan Way.
Andy and Jimmy's campaign culminated in the unveiling of the headstone at Loughborough Cemetery, in Leicester Road, on August 23, 2016.
A proper tribute to a legendary football player - just how it should be.

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Chris
Notts County's latest signing Lewis Alessandra feels his instincts told him he will be successful with Notts after he became the clubs second signing of the summer.
The Magpies secured the services of the wide-man from Hartlepool United on a two-year deal after fending off serious competition from Port Vale and successfully agreeing terms for a five-figure fee for his services.
Alessandra says he is also keen to experience success at the club and believes he has found the right club in order to fulfil his ambitions.
"We've just got to start the season well and go from there, you don't want to be playing catch-up."
"If you can keep the good players fit then you never know what can happen. If you look at Notts' form since the gaffer came in then you'd like to think we can do well."
"But I am at an age now where I am 28 and want to be successful."
"That was probably one of the main reasons why I came here because my instinct told me that I will be successful here."
Notts County still target Forest playmaker Jorge Grant as a summer recruit, with Magpies' chairman Alan Hardy stating his desire to see Grant return to Meadow Lane.
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Chris
Notts County announced the signing of former Hartlepool United winger Lewis Alessandra for an undisclosed fee
The 28-year-old arrived at the Pools from Rochdale last summer and became a permanent fixture on the wing scoring nine goals in the 2016-17 season despite Pools' relegation to the National League.
A graduate of Oldham Athletic's academy, the skilful forward - who scored a number of stunners during the last campaign had attracted interest from a number of clubs.
However, Magpies boss Kevin Nolan has won the race for his signature and he now becomes Notts' second signing of the summer following the arrival of Lincoln’s Terry Hawkridge.
Alessandra, who has signed for Notts on a two-year contract, told the club: "What happened at my former club last year was very disappointing."
"I was gutted but I knew I still wanted to play league football, so when the chance arose I grabbed it with both hands."
He continued to add, "I don’t think I would have come here if I didn’t think we had a shot at doing well next season."
His departure to Meadow Lane comes on the same day that Hartlepool United Welsh Premier League winning-boss Craig Harrison their new manager.
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Chris
The 2016-17 season ended a few weeks ago, however Notts have already announced their pre-season line-up which sees two key fixtures at Meadow Lane. One of which includes a late Wednesday night against our neighbours and rivals Nottingham Forest.
The Magpies will be looking to use the month of July as a way to get back to full fitness and fine-tune every aspect of the team before the start of the season.
Here are the fixtures:
Saturday 8th July, 3pm: Rolls Royce Leisure (A)
Saturday 15th July, 3pm: Basford United (A)
Wednesday 19th July, 7:45pm Nottingham Forest (H)
Saturday 22nd July, 3pm: Wigan Athletic (H)
Saturday 29th July, 3pm: York City (Y)
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Chris
Notts County are reportedly closing in on Lewis Alessandra who is set to have a medical with the club.
The Magpies' may have fought off competition from Port Vale for the Hartlepool United winger, who is set to become the second signing of the summer at Meadow Lane according to The Post.
Vale had reportedly shown interest in Alessandra, yet it is understood that the attacking wide-man is now set to undergo a medical on Friday after Notts successfully reached an agreement over a fee with Hartlepool.
Notts owner Alan Hardy has allegedly stumped up a five-figure fee for the 28-year-old, who impressed for Pools last season despite their relegation to the National League.
Although Alessandra can play upfront as a striker, he regularly featured on the right wing for Pools last season where he impressed largely with his performances in League Two.
Alessandra scored nine goals and created another nine which led to significant interest, but is now expected to sign for Kevin Nolan after the Notts manager expressed a desire to add more of a goal threat.
Notts have also signed Terry Hawkridge from Lincoln City earlier this month.
Joe Jones
Notts County owner Alan Hardy has expressed his desire to forge closer links with Nottingham Forest and praised the attitude of their young players.
Jorge Grant, who Forest are looking to sign up on a three-year deal, had a successful loan spell at Meadow Lane, and Hardy believes all their academy prospects are being brought up the right way.
In his weekly Nottingham Post column, he wrote: "We want to continue to strengthen links with our neighbours.
"I do know that our manager, Kevin Nolan, has a good relationship with Frank McParland, their director of football.
"Forest do have an abundance of excellent young players who are on our doorstep and it would be remiss of us not to explore those avenues.
"There's something I greatly admire about the character of those Forest boys. They are really nice people to have around your football club and in the changing room.
"They have a great work ethic, they are the last off the training pitch, they always have a smile on their face and it's just the type of people that Kevin and I like as players.
"Whatever Forest do over there, they are certainly teaching them the right way."
To read the rest of Alan Hardy's weekly Nottingham Post column, click here.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has reiterated that he wants Jorge Grant back in a Notts County shirt but is unsure of Nottingham Forest's plans for the 22-year-old.
The Magpies chairman is willing to fund a move for the in-demand playmaker, who scored six goals in 23 games for the Magpies after arriving on loan from the City Ground in January.
However, Forest - who had the option of extending Grant's contract by another 12 months - have opted to put a three-year deal on the table, while there is also interest from Wigan Athletic.
"I would love to buy Jorge because he is a quality player and a really good lad," said Hardy.
"While it's great taking players on loan nothing can beat having a player on your books who lays down roots and becomes part of your long-term journey.
"He was instrumental for us last season and produced some wonderful goals and football along the way.
"But at this moment in time we don't know what Mark Warburton's view is.
"He may well fancy him for next year and make him a part of his plans. That's something we are waiting to find out.
"We would love to see him back here on loan if we cannot take him on a permanent deal.
"The fans absolutely love him here, he played regularly and the way he conducted himself was fantastic.
"He has that sparkle and the ability to turn a game on its head.
"Jorge is obviously settled in Nottingham and that's important for a player as it allows them to concentrate on their football.
"He doesn't have to worry about travelling, what hotel he is staying in and so on.
"We are really pleased that Jorge is wanting to put roots down in Nottingham and hopefully we will see him back at Meadow Lane next season."
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Joe Jones
The threat of liquidation hanging over Notts County has been formally lifted.
A petition to wind up the club was dismissed on Wednesday at the High Court in London after a "dramatic compromise" was signed at the door of the court.
Notts were being pursued for debts said to be more than £600,000 owed to Pinnacle Advantage Ltd, a company of which former Notts owner Ray Trew was director.
The League Two club had been trying to agree a settlement with the administrators for Pinnacle, which was liquidated last July.
When the matter returned to court, Simon Johnson, appearing for Pinnacle, told Miss Registrar Derrett: "A dramatic compromise has just been signed outside court".
James Pickering, representing Notts County, confirmed the compromise, and there were no other creditors the registrar declared: "The petition is dismissed with no order as to costs."
Originally, the club had faced a winding-up application brought by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over reported debts of £500,000 - when the tax man's bill was settled, Pinnacle stepped in as a "substitute creditor".
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Joe Jones
Haydn Hollis has become the latest player to commit his future to Notts County after signing a new deal at Meadow Lane.
The 24-year-old central defender, a Magpies academy product, has made 133 appearances for the club since making his debut in January 2012, and has scored seven goals.
Hollis told the official Notts site: "Since the manager told me he wanted to offer me a new deal I’ve been desperate to sign it.
"The gaffer’s someone I love working for and Richard Thomas and Mark Crossley also deserve a lot of credit, along with everyone else the manager has with him.
"The club’s going into a new time now - we're even getting a new kit brand. It's completely changing and I’m glad I’m going to be a part of it."
Notts boss Kevin Nolan added: "I am absolutely delighted that Haydn has decided to stay with us.
"I have spoken a number of times about his attitude and the way he carries himself about the club - he has been first class since I walked through the door.
"Even when he found himself out of the squad he never let his professionalism or commitment slip. He kept working hard and thoroughly deserves his new deal."
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has praised Matt Tootle after the defender opened up about his mental health struggles and pledged to do more to ensure players are supported at Notts County.
The 26-year-old spoke about his battles with anxiety and depression earlier on in his career, admitting he "thought about ending it" and receiving treatment at the Priory Clinic.
"It takes a lot of guts and it was very brave of him to speak about it," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
"To a degree, I've got a lot of affinity with what he was saying. People who know me, know that I'm not necessarily a level person; I'm up one day and down the next.
"I'm not comparing myself to Matt Tootle, but I've experienced a little bit of living in highs and lows. And when that low becomes even lower, then I can certainly identify with how low he must have got.
"It's very sad. The problem with mental illness and depression is that when you're at that point, hardly anybody can help you. It has to come from within and you have to dig really deep.
"I haven't seen (Tootle) since he did that interview, so next time I see him I will certainly be shaking him by the hand and saying, 'well done for digging deep and getting yourself out of that'."
Asked if clubs are more aware now about mental health issues among players, Hardy said: "No, I don't think they are. I don't think we are here.
"It's something which I'll be taking with John Wilson, our chief medic, about in the summer; about how we can identify what's going on with the players and whether we should be having some sort of psychological coaching to make sure the guys are in a good place.
"If you're not in a good place mentally, you've got no chance of performing well out on the pitch. I don't think as a society we do enough. It's something that we need to look at. We need to make sure we do more to really help those players. But Matt has done fantastic to come out and say what he's said, and to get himself back on top."
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has revealed that Notts County had already smashed the previous year's season ticket sales before the 2016-17 campaign was even over.
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign went up on sale on March 24, with the Notts owner attributing the increased take-up to optimism about the Magpies' future on and off the pitch.
"We have smashed last season's sales," Hardy told the Nottingham Post. "We had exceeded last year's season ticket sales before the season had finished.
"Sales have slowed down a little bit now because there's no football, but hopefully once the new Puma kit gets released that can give them another boost. That should land with us in the middle of July.
"Once the players report back for training at the end of June and the new kit comes out, then those sales will accelerate again.
"I just want to say a massive thank you to those fans who have bought their tickets early and really supported us.
"To exceed last year's season ticket sales before the season had even finished was remarkable.
"It shows how much enthusiasm and confidence the fans have got for next year.
"We exceeded it by about 10 percent up on last season's sales before the season had expired, it's tremendous."
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Chris
The recent League Two playoff games between Exeter City and Carlisle United, and Luton Town and Blackpool, have highlighted the narrow gap for error within this division.
Exciting as they may be to watch, the playoffs aren’t easy, nor are they straightforward as people may think.
Promotion at the end of the day can reap rewards for any club that is successful enough to clinch it - the evolution and step forward can ultimately turn around a club's fortunes too.
League Two teams on their day can beat anyone, just look how Hartlepool United managed to claim a victory over the champions on the final day, so success on the field involves hard work and a lot of perseverance.
Whilst some fans will argue that the standard of football is dire, it’s improved a lot over the years and is certainly difficult.
I feel any lower tier division usually is this way, as the National League is about the hardest of them all – yet League Two is no easy street.
Clubs have to earn their promotion and if Notts hadn’t lost all those games in a row, we may have been able to turn things around.
When we were in the drop zone, I never felt we would push out and be on the verge of mathematically pushing up the higher end of the division. This alone shows you how quickly things can change in League Two.
The league won’t be any easier next season, we will welcome the return of Lincoln City – who I feel will have a culture shock after how a portion of their fans have reacted in the past few days (well done for your promotion lads, but focus - you’re not champions of League Two yet). Yet they will give the majority of teams a good game on their day.
Forest Green Rovers are rather unknown but I expect them to invest and to be more successful than most of the smaller League Two teams – i.e the sides like Newport County, Morecambe and Cheltenham Town.
Other clubs falling down the pyramid will add further depth to the competition already found, with Port Vale being no push over. Swindon Town and Chesterfield are also sides that should be able to put aside the woes of relegation in order to focus on a new campaign.
I am aware from various comments that Chesterfield are in some financial difficulty, yet I fully expect them to be pushing for the top half of the table.
Coventry City may go on to replicate what we did in 1998 or lead the division like Doncaster Rovers did this campaign – I wouldn’t expect them to slip up at all.
There will be more than 10 teams who are all capable of pushing for the top positions, so League Two won’t exactly be there for the taking for any club – let alone us.
Whilst we may be able to watchfully cast an eye on the playoffs in terms of realistic expectations, all of this will depend on the type of signings we make and how Kevin Nolan can further gel his squad together.
I would love Notts to push for automatic promotion, yet I would say that stability usually takes a few seasons and at this early stage it’s looking like we will be just another decent League Two team.
A handful of exciting signings could easily change this, whilst a ‘real’ togetherness on the pitch and impact from us fans in the stands in terms of support may encourage a hard-working Notts County to exceed expectations.
I noticed a friend's comment recently on Facebook which got me thinking. Byron Webster, the Millwall defender, had been quoted as saying: “Going up this way is the best way to it” – referring to his side's League One playoff final win over Bradford City at Wembley.
There’s no denying that a trip to Wembley can't be an historic and grand occasion, yet if you aim to be one the division's best, you can’t rely on them.
Notts fans who recall our own playoff final forays just need to cast their memories back to Brighton & Hove Albion - we know that they’re joyous occasions but on the other hand we then have the 2-0 defeat to Bradford back in 1996.
Our track record in the playoffs stands at two wins (1989-90 and 1990-91) and two defeats (1987-88 and 1995-96), which pretty much sums up the 50/50 nature of the beast.
Therefore, I would personally hope that we could recruit in strength and build to gain promotion automatically.
However, if Notts were to find themselves in the playoffs, I know we would give it a good shot. We just shouldn't have to rely on them in order to return to League One.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has set a target for Notts County to finish either in the playoffs or very close to them next season.
In addition, he revealed that he has given manager Kevin Nolan a 10 percent increase on last year's playing budget in a bid to hit that target.
Hardy has already overseen the signing of Lincoln City winger Terry Hawkridge and is expecting seven or eight further additions in the transfer window.
"Our playing budget last year was about the seventh or eighth highest in the division," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
"I've given Kevin an extra 10 percent on last year. That will probably take us to top four, in terms of budget in League Two.
"But I'm expecting a call from Kevin in the last week before the season starts, saying, 'could I just borrow….!' On a serious note, I'm sure Kevin will be able to get the players he needs within that budget.
"I'd like to be very close to the play-offs. I think it's fair to say there would be a tinge of disappointment if we don't make the play-offs, because I think we are plenty good enough. Once you're in the play-offs it is a bit of a lottery.
"Making the play-offs or being very close to the play-offs I think is the target. If we come below halfway, it would probably be a disappointing season."
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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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